Sisi greets Egyptians on Prophet Birthday

CAIRO - 20 November 2018: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi greeted the Egyptian people on the occasion of the anniversary of the Birthday of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a post on his personal account on social media Tuesday Nov. 20.

The president also praised the conduct and traits of the great prophet and wished all the best for the Egyptian people.

A celebration was held Nov. 19 in the occasion of the birthday of Prophet Mohammed and attended by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, ministers, and clerics. The speeches in the event focused on Sunna which is all statements and actions by the prophet.

During the celebration, Grand Imam of al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb refuted the discourse doubting Sunna, and its tellers. He said that the idea had first appeared in India in the 19th century by individuals who were affiliated with the British Colonization, and others who ended up by either claiming to be prophets or calling for discarding Sunna altogether.

The Grand Imam asserted that many clerics concluded that Sunna constitute 75 percent of the religion. As Sunna determines how to perform prayers, when one of those who call for deserting Sunna was asked how Muslims should pray, he replied that the ruler should develop a method for prayers. The Grand Imam stated that example expressing his dismay.

“That idea was introduced in Egypt by a doctor in Torra prison as he published two articles on the topic in Al Manar magazine harnessing support by some writers. What is common among those (individuals) is doubting tellers of Sunna, and disregarding their massive efforts,” the Grand Imam said.

The Grand Imam stressed that “Isnad theory,” which is the method in which Hadith was passed down through generations and referenced, is “exclusive to Islam” citing the praise of some “orientalists.”

“The prophet is the only one (among God messengers) whose life details were documented,” the Grand Imam affirmed. Tayeb cited a “valid” Hadith in which the prophet warned that some “rich people” would initiate in the future such calls. “That’s a miracle and a proof of his prophecy,” Tayeb concluded.